Child Marriage in New Hampshire: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding Child Marriage in New Hampshire

Child marriage is a serious issue that affects thousands of young people around the world. In the United States, it is estimated that over 17,000 youth under the age of 18 were married in the past decade. New Hampshire is one of the states with the highest rates of child marriage in the country, with a reported 231 cases of children under 18 being married between 2000 and 2010.

Child marriage is defined as any marriage or union where one or both partners are under the age of 18. It is often a result of cultural or religious practices, family pressures, or economic hardship. Child marriage can have devastating consequences for both girls and boys, including:

• Increased risk of domestic violence and sexual abuse
• Lower levels of education and economic opportunity
• Higher rates of poverty and health problems
• Increased likelihood of early pregnancy and childbirth

Laws and Policies in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has a number of laws and policies in place to address child marriage. The legal age of marriage in New Hampshire is 18 with parental consent, or 16 with judicial approval. However, there are several exceptions to this law, including when:

• The minor is pregnant or has already given birth
• The minor has been emancipated (legally recognized as an adult)
• The minor is a member of the armed forces

In 2018, New Hampshire passed a law that requires minors under the age of 16 to obtain judicial approval before getting married. This law was intended to strengthen the state's child marriage prevention efforts.

How to Prevent Child Marriage in New Hampshire

There are a number of things that can be done to prevent child marriage in New Hampshire, including:

• Educating youth about the risks of child marriage
• Working with families to change attitudes and beliefs about child marriage
• Enforcing laws against child marriage
• Providing support to young people who are at risk of being married

Resources for Child Marriage Victims

If you are a victim of child marriage, there are a number of resources available to help you. These resources include:

• The National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888)
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE)
• The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (1-800-796-SAFE)

Conclusion

Child marriage is a serious issue that has no place in New Hampshire. By working together, we can prevent child marriage and help to create a brighter future for all of our children.

Table 1: Number of Child Marriages in New Hampshire, 2000-2010

Source: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Table 2: Reasons for Child Marriage in New Hampshire, 2000-2010

Source: New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

Table 3: Consequences of Child Marriage in New Hampshire

Source: National Domestic Violence Hotline

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the legal age of marriage in New Hampshire?

The legal age of marriage in New Hampshire is 18 with parental consent, or 16 with judicial approval.

2. What are the exceptions to the legal age of marriage in New Hampshire?

The exceptions to the legal age of marriage in New Hampshire are when:

• The minor is pregnant or has already given birth
• The minor has been emancipated (legally recognized as an adult)
• The minor is a member of the armed forces

3. What are the risks of child marriage?

Child marriage can have devastating consequences for both girls and boys, including:

• Increased risk of domestic violence and sexual abuse
• Lower levels of education and economic opportunity
• Higher rates of poverty and health problems
• Increased likelihood of early pregnancy and childbirth

4. What can be done to prevent child marriage in New Hampshire?

There are a number of things that can be done to prevent child marriage in New Hampshire, including:

• Educating youth about the risks of child marriage
• Working with families to change attitudes and beliefs about child marriage
• Enforcing laws against child marriage
• Providing support to young people who are at risk of being married

5. What resources are available to child marriage victims?

If you are a victim of child marriage, there are a number of resources available to help you, including:

• The National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888)
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE)
• The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (1-800-796-SAFE)

6. What is the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence?

The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is a statewide organization that provides support and resources to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The Coalition also works to prevent child marriage and other forms of violence against women and children.

Call to Action

Child marriage is a serious issue that has no place in New Hampshire. By working together, we can prevent child marriage and help to create a brighter future for all of our children.

Here are some things you can do to help:

• Educate yourself about the risks of child marriage
• Talk to your children about the dangers of child marriage
• Support organizations that are working to prevent child marriage
• Report any suspected cases of child marriage to the authorities